Fleetsatcom 5

USA

Spacecraft n°:

US spacecraft n°:

Launch data:

Designation: 12635 / 81073A
Launch date06 Aug 1981
Launch siteCC, LC36A
Launch vehicle Atlas-3D Centaur (AC-59)
Mission Military: telecommunications
Geostationary orbit on:

Spacecraft data:

Prime contractor  TRW
Operator 
Platform  
Mass at launch  2250 kg
Mass in orbit 1043 kg
Basic shape  Hexagonal
Dimension (m) dia: 2.43m, high: 1.27m
With a 4.88m diameter antenna
Solar array  13.2m
Stabilization  3-axis
DC power  BOL: 1500 W
Design lifetime  5 yrs

Decay:

Out of service:  Aug 1981
Cause:  The satellite reached GTO, but imploding payload shroud damaged it.

Fleetsatcom's UHF-band (244-263 MHz)

Each satellite has 23 communications channels, 10 of which are used by the Navy for communications between its land forces, ships, and aircraft. The Air Force uses 12 of the channels as part of its satellite communications system for command and control of nuclear forces. One channel is reserved for U.S. national command authorities.
Ref: #15 - update: 02.07.08